IMONOLITH

A band name sets the tone for the band. With the right name, you don’t really need any sort of declaration of intent. Was it hard to come up with a name? What does the name mean to you?
_It usually takes a lot of thought and time to come up with a band name that represents the music. I’ve named a handful of my bands in the past, however, Ryan has to take the credit on this one! We had a list of band names being passed around the group, and a name on that list that stood out was Monolith. I think Ryan told me he was in the shower thinking about that name idea, and he decided we should toss an “I” in front, to form the name Imonolith. The name to me just means something huge, epic, powerful and strong. It just sounds like a big name! Which totally matches our music.

Who would say are the founding stones of the kind of sound you have? Who are your house Gods and how have they coloured your music?
-That’s a tough question since our influences come from many different places, and I’m also not the primary songwriter in the band. My style comes from bands like Pantera, Soilwork, and Alice In Chains.

When you play slow do you have to think differently arranging the music than if you play faster and vice versa?
-Every song has to flow from start to finish. Imonolith is more of a traditional style of writing with multiple verses and choruses. We tend to follow a similar structure with our slow songs and our fast songs. But each song has its own mood so transitions usually change according to that.

Playing live is a totally different beast to studio work. How does your music work in a live environment?
-Considering we haven’t played our first show yet, I have yet to see!! Our first show is scheduled for Feb 23rd in Vancouver. We are a hard-hitting, powerful, heavy band, so I expect people to be bouncing off the damn walls!! Our music is heavy and catchy, so people will catch on pretty quick to what we are about. It should be a blast!

How important is having a label to back you up today when you can just release your music on any sort of platform online? Are there any negative consequences to music being too readily available to fans?
-It’s not as simple as just throwing a song online, crossing your fingers and hoping things will happen. In this day and age, you have to knock down doors. There are probably some amazing artists that never get heard because they don’t have the proper promotion, distribution or any money, that’s where labels come in. However, we have decided not to sign a record deal, and to take on all these tasks ourselves. Its a lot of work, however, we will own everything and always be in charge. You just have to know what you’re doing and put the work in! And I do think its very cool how music is available to everyone. You have to adjust to the times and the change in the industry.

I get the feeling that fans that are true to a band, is a lost thing with the easy access to music these days. Do you feel that this is a bad thing or are there any positive aspects of it at all?
-I don’t think its lost at all in this genre. Maybe in the mainstream cookie cutter bullshit world. When a horrible song in popular media is smashed into your ears until you like it, then the next garbage song comes out, then you move on to that artist, yea totally in that case. But in the metal world there is more a sense of finding and band, and staying true to that band. It’s not as easy to find great metal bands unless it’s from a friend or a cool site online. It’s not typically rammed down your throat. You find it on your own and have respect for it.

What to you is a great front cover? What should a cover have to make it great?
-I like simple and powerful imagery, but that also makes you think. I don’t like a cover to be too busy… It should have a clear and strong image that speaks. Metallica “And Justice For All” is a great album cover. A simple solid image that makes you think! It has a lot of meaning and works perfectly with the music and lyrics.

Do you feel that you are part of a national scene? What is the climate for metal in your country?
-We are connected to the whole world these days and have fans from everywhere, so we are not just tied to one place. I personally don’t wave my flag and I’m not proud to be owned by any country, sounds a bit like slavery to me. But anyways, Canada produces some really great bands!! Mainly rock bands and also a solid metal scene.

I use Spotify and Deezer but only as a compliment to buying CDs (it’s easier to just have your phone or pad when you’re out) but I fear that soon music as we know it will be dead and buried. What are your worries as a band?
-I was always a fan of CDs. People actually listed through the whole albums and really got to know the bands. Now maybe people just download their favourite song or two and have playlists of many bands. I personally don’t buy many CDs anymore unless it’s at a show. I download albums from iTunes and keep them on my phone. I’m not worried at all. The industry always evolves, you just have to evolve with it.

What lies in the future?
-W hit the studio in March to record our debut album. We are looking at a mid-2019 release. Also at that time, we will be shooting a new music video. We plan to push this band hard and tour worldwide, so we’ll see you soon!